The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Something is broken/missing. I'm not sure what the speed control should look like but obviously this is broken. What part do I need to fix this? It is a VV-VI- and I'm not sure if I need to fix the speed control at this time but would like to consider it. A picture of what it should look like would also be appreciated.
Thanks Much,
Todd

Sorry, but I don't see anything broken or missing. Maybe that's good news? The "L" shaped piece of metal leads to a set of small pads that rub against the brass governor wheel. Your photo doesn't show the small pads but I assume they are there. The thumb screw above the deck allows for speed adjustment within a certain range. I suspect your speed control is just out of adjustment. Is it going too fast? Some Victrolas come with a means of adjusting the rod. Please check along that route. Another method is to move the governor weight assembly closer the the brass wheel if it's going too fast. BE SURE THE SPRING IS COMPLETELY UNWOUND BEFORE ADJUSTING THE GOVERNOR. Jerry Blais

It might help if you provided a photo of the brass wheel and governor pads.

Todd, it looks like the speed control knob is screwed all the way in (looking from the top of the board). That would make the turntable run way too fast. Back it out to see if the speed comes under control. Russie

Thanks, I think I'm starting to figure it out. The 2 little nuts I found in the cabinet must go on the shaft to hold the "L" shaped arm up. Am I correct that one nut is for adjusting the length and the other to lock it in place? So if I put the thumb screw shaft onto the hole in the "L" arm and pull it up and put the nuts on, is this correct? If so, how then do I make sure it is adjusted properly before I lock it in place?

I believe that arm is adjustable. There's a spring that controls the tension of the "L" shaped rod against the knurled speed control shaft. There is an adjustment very near this spring. You should be able to back off a set screw and move the pad closer to the brass governor wheel. Please do this unless all you need to do is twist the speed control knob. Jerry

Well I thought I had it figured out but was way off. To make sure I have it right, thumb screw turned towards "fast" pushes the speed control bar down and speeds the turntable up. Thumb screw towards "Slow" (unscrew) raises the bar and slows it down. Right now even with the thumb screw all the way in (Fast), the bar does not make contact with the thumb screw at all and the turntable goes too slow.

How do I go about adjusting the speed control bar so the thumb screw works as it should? Didn't want to have to adjust it but looks like I'm going to have to.

Hope this makes sense.

Thanks,
Todd

The piece that holds the brake pad and connects to the adjust shaft has a little screw with a square black head. This is to adjust the brake pad alignment on the shaft. If that screw has come loose, the spring on the adjustment shaft will hold the pad against the flywheel and prevent it from spinning. Check to see if the brake pad holder is secured to the shaft. If the shaft moves but does not move the brake pad, then you need to adjust it and then tighten the little square head screw to hold the brake pad in place. Best thing to do is unscrew the speed adjust thumbscrew all the way and push the adjustment pad on the end of the L shaft up against the motor board then tighten the little square head screw. You might need to do a little fine tuning to get it exactly where you want it. Cliff

PM sent which was basically Cliff's suggestions. Jerry Blais